Diotimos Library · Renaissance Collection · Bilingual Edition
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
The 1599 German text with a new English translation, introduction, glossary, and notes.
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Early New High German Page · Branch 88 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 81
Early New High German
p. 81sagten Metallischen - Embryonischen dingen stecken mögen; Dennoch seind sie dieses nicht / dessen ALLE wahre recht Naturkündige Philosophi, zu jhren geheimen / beydes dē VNIVERSAL STEINE oder ELIXEIR MAGNO, an vnd für sich selbst alleine / vnd auch zu jhren Special Silber oder Goldt - STEINEN / neben Silber vnd Golde / dieselben darinnen zu Regeneriren, das solche Newe oder Wiedergeborne Plusquamperficirte Metalla / vnd also auff die vnteren Metalla in die öbern speciales Silber oder Gold- TINCTVRAE transmutantes, auch dergleichen ELIXEIRIA minora, vnnd PARTICVLARIA, als vielleicht Nutzbare Cinober Arbeiten / Mercurij Saturni metallici corporei, vnd Mercurij vulgi præcipitationes, fixationes vnd transmutationes, das sie Silbers
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 81mentioned Metallic-Embryonic things: yet they are not that which ALL true and rightly Nature-knowing Philosophers, for their secret VNIVERSAL STONE or GREAT ELIXIR, of and for itself alone; and also for their Special Silver or Gold STONES, alongside Silver and Gold, to Regenerate those same metals therein, so that such New or Reborn More-than-perfected Metals, and thus, upon the lower Metals into the upper, special Silver or Gold TRANSMUTING TINCTURES, and likewise lesser ELIXIRS and PARTICULARS — as perhaps profitable Cinnabar Workings, and the precipitations, fixations and transmutations of the corporeal metallic Mercury of Saturn and of the common Mercury — so that they should give Augmentations of Silver
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 81
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Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum argues that alchemy has one universal subject, that this subject cannot be extracted from the metals, and that nothing in the work can begin without recognizing it. This complete reader begins with the supplied seven-part introduction and orientation, then presents every printed page of the 1599 German treatise opposite its new English translation.
Historical Text and Translation
The German reading text is a fresh diplomatic transcription from 600 dpi images of the Magdeburg copy printed by Johann Bötcher in 1599. It preserves Khunrath’s capitalization, word division, authorial marginal keys, glosses, errata, and three unnumbered closing pages: the errata leaf, owl emblem, and colophon.
About Diotimos Editions
Diotimos Editions prepared the new English translation, introduction, notes, glossary, collation, and editorial apparatus. The translation follows Khunrath directly, retaining his technical vocabulary, changes of register, repetitions, rhetorical questions, and distinctions between German, Latin, and coined terms.
Rights
Heinrich Khunrath’s 1599 German work is in the public domain. The 2026 English translation, introduction, notes, glossary, editorial arrangement, and related matter are original to this edition and remain © 2026 Diotimos.